Helmet laws stir riders’ emotions NTSB wants states to act

There’s no issue more divisive among motorcyclists than whether the wearing of a protective helmet when riding should be mandatory by law. Those opposed to helmet laws assert that such statutes infringe on their freedom of choice.

Many of those who don’t have a problem with helmet laws already routinely wear lids whenever they ride and seem to view helmet laws as being analogous to seat belt laws for drivers and passengers in cars, a common sense requirement that lessens the risk of serious injury.

The helmet issue was forced back into the spotlight nationally earlier this month when the National Transportation Safety Board issued a recommendation to all states that compulsory helmet laws for riders and passengers be enacted. Helmets are required by law for individuals under 18 or those who hold an instructional permit.

“The facts are very clear – head injuries are the leading cause of deaths in motorcycle crashes,” said NTSB Chairman Mark V. Rosenker in a statement issued Sept. 11.

The NTSB reported that motorcycle deaths have doubled in the past decade – 2,116 in 1997 to 4,810 in 2006 – which helmet law opponents dismiss as misleading because the number of registered motorcycles has risen dramatically as well during that time frame.

The NTSB noted that wearing a Department of Transportation-compliant helmet reduces the overall risk of dying in a crash by 37 percent and that brain injuries are three times more likely for those not wearing a helmet.

“Universal helmet laws have proven effective in the mitigation of injuries and the prevention of fatalities,” said Rosenker. “I hope that the governors and legislative leaders in the states will act promptly and decisively to implement the universal helmet laws recommended today by the Board.” The Connecticut state legislature last considered a helmet law more than a year ago. Should a bill be introduced again, it would undoubtedly be met with vocal opposition as well as some support.

Mike Keehan, general manager of the Gengras dealership in East Hartford, which sells the Harley-Davidson, BMW, Triumph and Ducati lines, is a helmet advocate and doesn’t accept the “freedom of choice” argument. “I happen to believe safety overrules that. That’s my personal opinion,” he said.

“Harley” Bob LaRoche, owner of Yankee Harley-Davidson in Bristol, has the opposite opinion. “I support an individual’s right to choose whether they want to wear a helmet or not,” said LaRoche, voicing his belief that the NTSB’s conclusions are based on “flawed statistical analysis. I think it’s an attempt to apply a 19th century solution to a 21st century problem.” LaRoche also wonders whether riders who wear helmets and full armored riding apparel might exhibit “a natural human tendency to take a little more risk with their gear on” than riders in T-shirts and bare heads. “I’m torn both ways,” reported Ralph DeLuco, majority owner of Canton Cycles, the Victory-Moto Guzzi-Ural dealer Winsted. “I think you’re a fool if you don’t wear a helmet, but I don’t like to get a ticket if I choose not to wear one. I never used to wear a seat belt but now I always do. You tend to get compliant once it’s mandatory.” While DeLuco said he never rides without a helmet, he added, “The Big Brother mentality scares me.”

Attitudes toward helmets may slowly be changing. Keehan recalled that when he joined the dealership five years ago, “They told me we’re a Harley store and we don’t sell helmets.” Now, he said Gengras sells between 1,200 and 1,400 DOT-approved helmets a year.

DeLuco suggested agreed that if a helmet law ever gets enacted in Connecticut, it will be the dealers that benefit. “It’ll be great for business – for helmet sales,” he said.

Meanwhile, business hasn’t been so hot for many motorcycle dealers in 2007 as concerns about the economy have kept potential new motorcycle buyers clutching their wallets.

Harley-Davidson recently announced that it will temporarily close five plants in Wisconsin, Missouri and Pennsylvania for one week in November, idling about 2,800 workers, because of declining sales. The company now projects it will ship between 86,000 and 88,000 new bikes during the third quarter, down from a projected 91,000 to 95,0000 motorcycles.

LaRoche said there’s no doubt in his mind that economic uncertainty has hurt sales. Said DeLuco, “Harley and Honda were hit hard and they took the market down with them.” Keehan said that he has seen an improvement in the sales of accessories, though. “Our parts sales are up this year. That’s because people are holding on to their bikes longer, adding parts, getting them fixed and holding off on that major purchase.”

Event Planner

The Gaylordsville Volunteer Fire Department will stage its 6th annual Poker Run on Sunday. Registration is from 9 to 11 a.m. at the firehouse on Route 7. The cost is $30 for a rider and $20 for a passenger. All bikes are welcome.

Harwinton-based journalist Bud Wilkinson, who rides a 2003 Harley-Davidson V-Rod, may be reached by e-mail at budw@ride-ct.com

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